Give an old bedroom vanity new life.
A bedroom vanity is a small table that is either free-standing or built into the wall. It is typically used for applying makeup and will generally have enough room for a few toiletries and a mirror. If your bedroom vanity is looking a little worse for the wear, instead of throwing it away, you can refinish it and give the piece a whole new life. This project can be done on a tight budget and usually takes less than a weekend to complete.
Instructions
1. Remove any hardware from the vanity. If the vanity has any drawers, the drawer pulls will need to be removed. Open the drawer and use a screwdriver to remove the handles. Place this hardware in a bag in a safe place to keep it together.
2. Sand down the vanity. If the vanity has several coats of paint on it, you may need to use a heat gun or a paint stripper to get down to the bare wood. Ideally, you would move the vanity out of the room for this procedure. If the vanity is built-in, make sure that all the windows in the room are open before starting. Use a medium-grade sandpaper to remove the finish on the wood. For small detailed areas, use steel wool to get in where sandpaper cannot reach.
3. Resand the piece. Once all of the finish is gone and you are down to bare wood, go over the vanity with a fine grade of sandpaper. This will remove any surface imperfections and help the new paint or stain adhere properly. Wipe down the entire piece with a tack cloth to remove any sawdust before proceeding.
4. Paint or stain the vanity. Work slowly and go with the grain of the wood. Apply one thin coat of paint or stain and allow it to dry. If you are staining the vanity, go over it again with fine sandpaper once the first coat is dry. Apply at least two coats of paint or stain. If you are staining the wood, you will need to apply an additional two coats of clear coat to protect the wood. Sand between each coat. Give the piece 6 to 8 hours to dry before proceeding.
5. Attach new drawer pulls. An old vanity can be refreshed with some simple hardware. Purchase new drawer pulls that match the current size of the existing hardware. Screw the new hardware in.
Tags: bedroom vanity, drawer pulls, bare wood, before proceeding, coats paint, down bare